1988 Foch

October 2018 – I have no significant recollection of this wine. Some I remember vividly … others, not so much. Given that Foch was one of my favorite French-American hybrids, I’m surprised I remember so little about this one. What I do remember is that it was never allowed to age … it was too popular and got wiped out quickly.


Ingredients

Fruit 100# foch grapes, 23 brix, 1.05 acid
Pectic Enzyme 3 tsp
Sulfite 1 tsp K-meta
Nutrient 4 tsp nutrient + 3 tsp energizer
Yeast Lalvin KV-1116
Acid 1/2 tsp ascorbic acid + 1 tsp citric acid

Method

Crushed & yeast added 09/18/1988
SG 1.092
Pressed 09/24/1988
SG 1.002
Racked, added 1/4 tsp K-sulfite, ascorbic acid, citric acid 01/28/1989
SG 1.000
Filtered, #1 filter pad 03/27/1989
SG 1.000
Filtered, #2 filter pad 04/09/1989
SG 1.000
Bottled 09/17/1989
SG 1.000

Notes

Yield 28 bottles
Alcohol 12.5%
Afterthoughts This one worked out fine. I really like Foch!
October 2018 I’m looking at the log — and wondering why it never fermented below 1.000. Bizarre!
September 2022 I’m really wondering why I chose to add ascorbic acid. The only thing I can think of was the wine was flat, and I do recall Chris (business partner) and I discussing various acids.